What Is Oral Cancer?

Were you aware that November is Mouth Cancer Action Month? To keep our patients educated on the causes of oral cancer, we’re providing you with this helpful guide on this serious disease. We’re also here to help you learn how to detect, treat, and prevent oral cancer. Oral cancer is any form of cancer or abnormal cell that is found inside of your mouth or the back of your throat. It can be diagnosed in the mouth, tongue, or throat. It is also found in the gum and mouth tissues. In the United States of America, approximately 3% of cancers diagnosed each year are oral cancers. This is around 53,000 cases a year. While it is most common to find the disease in people over the age of 40, it can occur with anyone, no matter what your age is!

Stay on top of your oral health and remain committed to detecting potential issues early on by scheduling a checkup and cleaning with your dentist in Florida!

The Symptoms of Oral Cancer 

Detecting oral cancer when it is in its earliest stages is the best way to ensure that it can be successfully treated. This means being “mouth aware.” If you experience any of the below issues for longer than three weeks, you need to see your dentist for an oral cancer screening as soon as possible.

1. An ulcer or sore that does not heal
2. An irritation or thick lump or patch in your mouth, lip, or throat
3. White or red patches in your mouth
4. A sore throat or the feeling that something is caught in your throat
5. Difficulty chewing, swallowing or speaking
6. Difficulty moving your jaw or tongue
7. Swelling of your jaw
8. Numbness in your tongue or other areas of your mouth

The Causes of Oral Cancer

While there are some cases of oral cancer that don’t have a known origin, the majority of cases (almost 90%) are directly linked to lifestyle choices like smoking and drinking heavily. Two out of three oral cancer cases are directly caused by smoking. Those who smoke are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. Those who consume a lot of alcohol are also at a higher risk. Patients who drink heavily and smoke are also at a higher risk. The toxic ingredients found within chewing tobacco and smokeless tobacco also cause oral cancer.

Another risk factor for oral cancer is maintaining an unhealthy diet that doesn’t include the right type of vitamins and minerals. Sun exposure and age are other risk factors that make it more likely that you could develop the disease.

How is Oral Cancer Diagnosed?

Oral cancer is a disease that can spread rapidly to other parts of your body when it is left untreated. This makes early detection imperative. While it can be difficult to detect the early signs on your own, your dentist will be able to look for any early symptoms of oral cancer while he or she is conducting your routine dental examination. Oral cancer screenings are painless and consist of your dentist looking at the face, lips, neck, and jawline for lumps or other signs of cancer. He or she will also look at the inside of your lips, cheeks, tongue, and other areas inside of the mouth for any indication of oral cancer.

Oral Cancer Treatment

If you are diagnosed with oral cancer, your dentist will likely refer you to a specialist or a team of specialists. Oral cancer is typically treated by your general dentist, an oral surgeon, and an oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer). The most common types of treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Your treatment plan will be developed based on many different factors. Some of these factors include the condition of your overall physical health, the location of the cancer, the type and size of any tumors found, and if the cancer has traveled to other areas of your body. As a part of your treatment, an oral surgeon will take out the cancer and any surrounding tissues. If your case is more advanced, you may require radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Targeted therapy is a new type of cancer treatment that utilizes medication that identifies and attacks the cancer cells inside of your mouth or throat.

Stay on top of your oral health and remain committed to detecting potential issues early on by scheduling a checkup and cleaning with your dentist in Florida!

Preventing Oral Cancer

Preventing oral cancer is essential. Since this disease can happen to anyone, you need to know what signs to look out for so that you can contact your dentist at the first indication that something could be wrong. Living a healthy lifestyle is the best way to avoid oral cancer. Don’t smoke, chew or use smokeless tobacco. You should also avoid heavy alcohol use. Avoiding tobacco use and alcohol use two of the best things you can do to prevent cancer. See your dentist on a routine basis for cleanings and checkups. These visits allow your dentist to detect potential issues while they are still in their earliest stages and will help you to maintain your oral health. 

Luckily, when oral cancer is caught in its early stages it is typically treatable. To ensure that it is caught early, you need to be mouth aware. This also means seeing your dentist regularly. Develop and maintain healthy lifestyle choices. This means eating a healthy diet and refraining from activities and habits that can increase your risk of mouth cancer. Oral cancer is a disease that can be diagnosed in anyone. If you have any concerns about your oral health and your risk of developing oral cancer, contact your dentist.

Stay on top of your oral health and remain committed to detecting potential issues early on by scheduling a checkup and cleaning with your dentist in Florida!